Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Iran suggests Assad use Israel as a Smokescreen

Emails leaked by Syria opposition and released by the U.K.'s Guardian indicate that Syrian President Bashar Assad was advised by Iranian officials to divert attention toward Israel and the Palestinian cause in an effort to deflect criticism of his brutal crackdown. According to the Guardian, the messages were reported to have been intercepted by the opposition's Supreme Council of the Revolution between June of 2011 and February 2012, and include private emails from both Assad and his wife.

From Haaretz;

"One email sent in December 31 indicated that Assad's aides advised the Syrian president on the contents on an upcoming speech following "consultations with a good number of people in addition to the media and political adviser for the Iranian ambassador."

In the composed memorandum, Assad was advised to stress the issue of Muslim identity through the use of Koran quotes, as well as centering on what the email called "Syria's principles," which included: "Resistance"; "Hostility to Israel, the first enemy of the Muslims"; and "Protection of Palestinian people's rights (real prayers should be in the direction of Jerusalem)."

"Maybe here the president can reiterate his stance by condemning forcefully the recent Israeli practices and policies to Judaise Al-Quds (Jerusalem)," the email added, saying that Assad should use "powerful and violent" language in his opposition to Israel"

Could the Global march to Jerusalem be a cynical plot by Iranian interests to protect their puppet Assad? It it simply be a smokescreen to distract the Arab street? Its certainly beginning to look that way.